The joy and chore of backing up files

So I've spent the past few hours backing up files on my laptop. My laptop is 4 years old (my dad bought it for me in early June 2003, maybe a week or two before I was about to graduate from high school). Lately, my laptop has been acting up and turning off unexpectedly. This upsets me because I try my hardest to keep my laptop clutter-free. I try not to download too many programs. I check for viruses and spyware often. But I guess I'm not taking good care of my laptop enough because it sometimes slows down and it shuts off suddenly. Okay, it doesn't shut down that often... just once in awhile and it frightens me because I love my laptop so much. I want to use my laptop for one or two more years before getting a new one. :( I wish I were a computer nerd so I could take better care of my laptop.

So I backup my files every so often. The last time I did it was back in January 2007. I have a 160 GB external hard drive that I take out to backup my files (I don't connect it to my laptop all the time). Along with making backup files on the hard drive using it's back up program (which turns the files into one weird file that can be restored by the hard drive's program at a later date), I also make a copy of new documents, pictures, etc. and put them on the hard drive as well. I also backup the same files onto blank CDs. I guess I get paranoid of losing important documents and pictures. I like to keep old things, like old schoolwork, and the thought of losing an essay I wrote for a class troubles me! I also have a hard copy of almost all of my schoolwork (possibly with comments and grades from my professors), but I also want the digital copy.

I still have some more backups to do, but there was some sort of error when trying to copy my school documents onto the disc. So I decided to try again later... probably right now after I put up this post.